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His Word of Honor 



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J 



His Word of Honor 

A Comedy in Three Acts 



By 
CHARLES GOTT 



BOSTON 

WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 

1911 



His Word of Honor 



CHARACTERS f 

Dick Walthour, a senior. 

Harvey Grant, a senior, president of the Student Council. 

Bert Flemming, Dick's rootnmate, a junior. 

Arthur Carson, a Virginian, a junior. 

William Henry Fraser, alias "Kid," a freshman, and slang 

artist. 
Hunter ^ 

]£T **•* 

Wilkins J 

Jeremiah Hackett, a sophomore, Fraser s roommate, 

Coffey, a postman. 

Helen Flemming, Serfs sister, a junior. 

Janette Gordon, a junior. 

Molly Atkins, a freshman. 

Arethusa A. Judkins, a sophomore and a "grind." 

Mrs. MacInchbald, the chamber-" maid." 

Professor Nicely, Professor Loomis, and others. 

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES 

Act I. — Room of Walthour and Flemming in East Hall. 
Act II. — Scene I. Professors' Row, next morning. 

Scene 2. Room of Walthour and Flemming, same 
morning. 
Act III. — The Fine Arts room in the library, three days later. 

Place. — Tufts College. 

Time. — Mid-year examination period. 



Copyright, 1910, by CHARLES GOTT, 
Under the title : " A Point of Honor." 




Copyright, 191 i, by Walter H. Baker & Co. 
(S5.CI.D 24871 



His Word of Honor 



ACT I 

SCENE. — A college room. Door a, to hall; portieres over 
r. u. E., leading to bedrootn. Two windows L., overlook- 
ing snow-covered campus. Desks and swivel chairs down R. 
and l. Couch and pillows up r. Table with smoking things 
up l. Chairs y etc. 

( Curtain rises on dark stage. Noise of scuffling, whistling 
and snatches of song without.') 

First Voice {outside'). Hey, John ! Oh, John ! 

Second Voice {outside). Hello ? 

First Voice. Does the exam cover oblique triangles in the 
spherical ? 

Second Voice. Sure ; everything we've had. 

First Voice. The devil you say. Hello, Dick ; hello, 
Bert. 

Dick Walthour. ) „ ,, „ , , , -, 

Bert Flkmming. j Hella How a *»' Ashman? 

Enter Dick, Arthur Carson and Bert. Dick crosses stage 
to desk L. with lighted match in hand. Turns on light. 

Bert. That applied is the only thing that I'm much afraid 
of, except highways. 

Car. Highways, yes, and mechanism, and steam, and 
chem., and a few more. 

Bert. Oh, those won't be so worse. If I can only get by 
applied, I'll get off probation. What d'jou get in applied last 
year, Dick ? 

Dick. I think it was a B or a B minus, I forget which. 

Car. Wow ! (Sits on sofa.) 

Bert. Oh, you're not in our class at all. What were you 
trying to do, shark the course ? ' 

Dick. Why, that's nothing; Smiler got an A minus last 
year. What d'jou get in the last test ? 

3 



4 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Bert (with a shrug). Gad, I got a C on the first one, but 
I've been averaging L ever since. 

Car. Lawd ! I never got more than an L. 

Dick. Well, have your formulas down cold, whatever you 
do. 

Bert. I suppose so. Je-rusalem, wouldn't I like to kill 
that exam. Zowey ! But there'll be no taking cribs to your 
exams under this new honor system ; too many watching you. 
Couldn't use it. 

Car. (disparagingly). Oh, yes, the honor system. Well, 
I don't know. If a fellow watches you-all too sharp, some- 
body '11 think he's cribbing and nail him. 

Dick. You fellows make me laugh. Neither of you would 
take a crib to class if you could. 

Bert. Well, sometimes they let us. (Noise outside.) 
Here's Kid. 

(William Henry Fraser knocks c, then enters without 
waiting.) 

Kid. Hi, fellers ; seen my wife, Bert ? 

Bert. Nope. Where the deuce were you at supper time ? 

Kid. Oh, there was a bunch of us playing basket-ball after 
gym, and nobody knew what time it was. 

Car. Freshman trick ! 

Kid. Gosh, I'm hungry as blazes, and Jerry's got my key. 
I'd like to know where 

Dick. Why, say, Hackett and Grant had a long Student 
Council meeting, and went down to supper late. 

Car. That's right. I met 'em down here near the whatcher- 
call-it— the "Bird Cage." 

Kid. Oh, sure, I remember now. Gee ! it's more bother 
looking after that darn wife of mine 

(Knocking without.) 

Enter Jeremiah Hackett and Harvey Grant. 
Kid. Here he is now. Hello, angel face ! 

(Greetings ', etc. ; business ; Grant sits r. c) 
Hack. What's that you're saying, runt ? 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 5 

Kid. I said, — it's a wonder you wouldn't stay away all 
night with my key while you're at it, you mutt ! 

Dick. He says he has a hard time looking after you, Jerry. 

Hack. Is that right ? Well, it'll be up to me to take care 
of him if I see him talking to any more of these co-eds. (Cries 
of "What /" " Discovered /" etc. Hack, nods.) Bert, got 
a pipeful of tobacco ? 

(Bert motions to tobacco-jar on table. Hack, steps to it.) 

Grant. And you're one of these co-ed despisers ! Tell us 
about it, Kid. 

Kid. Aw, go on ! Can the chatter ! What you talking 
about ? 

Hack, (filling pipe). That's right, try to bluff it off. I 
mean down to the end of the Row this afternoon. {Lights pipe.) 

Kid. Oh, well ! That was just — she was just giving me a 
bid to some party the Round and Round Club is giving, that 
was all that was. 

Hack, (with a laugh). Round and Round Club ! What's 
that? 

Kid. Don't you know? (As if reciting.) " The Round 
and Round Club embraces all the girls." I wish / was the 
Round and Round (Interrupted by cries of " Oh, rot- 
ten ! " "Punk/" "Put him out!''') Aw, you fellows 
wouldn't know a good joke if it hit you in the eye. 

(Hack, sits l. c.) 

Dick (behind him, winking to the others, quietly). Well, are 
you going to it, Kid ? 

Kid. Sure; I guess so. (Others laugh at him.) 

Bert. Surrendered without a skirmish ! I've always said 
that co-ed hating was only a pose with most of these fellows. 
And this one was always running 'em down. Kid, your bluff's 
called. 

Car. You can't tell; maybe she frightened him into it, eh, 
Kid? 

Kid (getting off desk l., where he has been perched, coming 
toward a). Will you hear who's talking ? Every one of 
them a fusser ! Bert, with a path worn between East Hall and 
the Bird Cage. (Here Hack, bursts into a guffaw, pointing 
at Bert. Kid pauses to look at him and he sobers at once, 
while Kid continues.) Dick, with a standing date for Sunday 
afternoons, because Bert's sister and he both live too far to go 



6 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

home Sundays—Paris, Me. ; and as for this on the couch 
{indicating Car.), that talks about being frightened, — why it 
even drops a cigarette like a hot coal when it pipes Molly 
Atkins standing its way, — and she's only about half as big as 
It is, at 

Car. That'll be about all from you, freshman. 

Kid. Why, you ought t' seen him the other day when 
Molly 

(Car. hits him with pillow. Kid retreats to desk.) 

Bert (rescuing pillow). Hey ! Hey ! Look out what 
you're doing with my Gamma Delta Pi pillow ! 

{Business. Bert brushes pillow, places it on sofa and re- 
iums to chair during next speeches.) 

Dick. Nix on the rough there, you two. 

Kid. Gee, this married life must be h-hawful ! Look at 
him ! (Bert and pillow.') What the dickens is it loaded with, 
pig iron ? Or were you trying to lay me out for fair ? 

Car. (with dignity). Well, you may as well cut out bandy- 
ing names that don't concern you. 

Hack. You unsophisticated, insignificant infant, get wise, 
or Carson will open his mouth and swallow you. 

Kid (throwing out his chest). Insignificant nothing ! I 
guess you don't realize that you're talking to the captain of the 
freshman tennis team ! (The others laugh.) 

Grant. Captain of the pinocle team would be a better 
berth for you, Kid. 

Hack. Yes, or sub right-field on the East Hall second 
team. 

Kid. No use. I'm too busy working out a formula to beat 
the honor system. 

Enter Hunter with " Weeklies." 

Bert. Well, what do you know about this, the Weekly at 
half-past seven ! 

(Hunter hands Dick paper ; Bert also gets one.) 

Hunter. I guess we're some fast, eh? 
Car. Le's have a paper, Louis. 
Hunter. Go on : yours is up in West. 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 7 

(Car. looks disgusted and does not insist. ) 

Dick. Here's an account of your Student Council meeting, 
Harvey. That's going some. 

Hunter. What are you going to do to mechanics prob- 
lems to-morrow, Carson? 

(Car. replies with a grimace.') 

Grant. What does it say ? 

Hunter {to Kid, who wants a paper). No, yours is out 
here under your door, freshman. 

(Kid gets paper as Hunter goes. Hack, deftly takes it 
from him.) 

Kid. Hey, give us that, you rummy ! 

Grant. Dry up and give Dick a chance. 

Dick (reading). "At a meeting of the Student Council held 
January 28th, at four-thirty, the final plans for the introduction 
of the honor system, and the policy of the council in regard to 
it were discussed. The matter " 

Bert. Oh, that's no good. Here's an editorial that tells 
the story. 

Kid. By all means ; let the professor read. 

Bert (reading). "To-morrow for the first time the long- 
talked-of honor system goes into effect at Tufts. In adopting 
. the honor system, the student body takes upon itself the respon- 
sibility of securing honesty in examinations. It is simply a 
transfer of responsibility from faculty to students whereby each 
and every student becomes a proctor who is pledged and in 
honor bound to report any instance of cheating which he may 
see or discover." 

Kid. Aw, say, that's kinder rough. 

Hack. Shut up, freshman, and gi's a cigarette. 

(Kid produces cigarettes.) 

Bert (continuing). "Contrary to a rather current notion 
among the students, the attitude of the faculty has always been 
that it was ready to introduce the honor system whenever the 
students were ready to assume this responsibility. As printed in 
copies of the rules issued a short time ago, instructors will re- 
main in the room only long enough to distribute examinations 
and answer all necessary questions. Perfect freedom of move- 



8 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

ment will be allowed ; the students may leave the room or 
building at any time during the examination ; but for a student 
to discuss any part or phase of the examination before both are 
through will make him liable to report to the Student Council. 
The Council will try all cases of alleged dishonesty reported to 
them and will render their verdict upon the case, with their 
recommendations, in writing, to the faculty. Judging from 
the present attitude of the Council, there is little room to doubt 
that they will choose the more drastic of the two possible rec- 
ommendations which the rules offer, and that their recommen- 
dation will be to expel any person convicted of cheating." 
Gosh, Harvey, is that right ? Do you expect to fire a fellow 
out for cribbing ? 

Grant. Yes. 

Bert. What, first offense ? 

Grant. Yes. If a fellow can't exercise enough self-control 
to keep from cribbing when he knows he's got to say he hasn't, 
he deserves to be fired. 

Car. {disgusted). Well, I'll be hanged ! 

Dick. Gad, it's me for keeping my eyes glued to my paper. 
I'd hate like h-heverything to get one of my friends fired out. 

Car. Or one of your enemies, either. 

Dick. Haven't any ! 

Hack. Ad a boy, Dick ! 

Kid. Gee, you have to be proctor to yourself, too, don't 
you ? That's the worst part of it. 

Dick. Not much. You're way off. It'll be a darned sight 
harder to tell about another man's cheating than to keep from 
it yourself. 

Kid. Well, you may be right, at that. Gee whiz, one of 
your own frat men, or your roommate ! 

Bert (lookiiig at paper). Well, look. It says a fellow — er 
— " may leave the room or building at any time during the ex- 
amination." Does that mean that he can go to his room for a 
smoke ? 

Hack. Why, sure ; he can if he wants to. 

Bert. Then how are they going to tell that he hasn't got 
wise to a couple of points while he was there ? 

Grant. That's where a man's honor comes in. Besides, 
he has to write at the end of the exam that he hasn't received 
or given any assistance. 

Car. Huh ! That's great ! 

Kid. Suppose he doesn't write it ? 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 9 

Grant. Well, the instructor's got to ask him to. The 
chances are he won't refuse to sign if he hasn't cheated. 

Car. Humph ! Hanged if I'd write it. Prexy said he 
wasn't in favor of that. 

Bert. Well, it's all the same to me. If I get by applied, 
I'll cheer for the honor system, or any other old system. 

Kid (laughing). Gee, I've got quite a job cut out for me 
if I'm going to beat that system, just the same ! 

Bert (same). You're darned right, Kid. 

Kid. And besides (getting up, stretching and yawning), I 
haven't had any supper. Playin' basket-ball after gym. I 
could eat a raw dog. Who's coming down to the dog-cart ? 

(Goes up to c.) 

Hack. Well, I was too late to get much to eat at the house. 
Ahem — I am experiencing a feeling of void in my abdominal 
cavity. (Up.) 

Kid. Void be hanged ! You mean you've got a gnawing 
sound in your dog-house. That's the worst of rooming with 
an A. B. He's always tearing off something like that. 

Bert. What I like is these big, hot, fried egg sandwiches. 

Kid. Oh, let me at 'em ! (Starts for door.) 

Hack. Hold on there. Remember you are to have the 
company of a gentleman. 

Kid. Oh ! 

(Looks around stage and behind Hack. Business.) 

Hack, (bewildered). What the deuce are you looking for ? 

Kid. I'm looking for that gentleman. 

[Exit Kid, pursued by Hack. 

Grant. He's a great boy, that Kid. 

Dick. Gad, he's a corker ! 

Bert. He's there and no mistake. 

Car. He gets almost too fresh sometimes, though. 

Grant. Oh, run away ! You're sore because he showed 
you up. Why don't you marry the girl? 

Car. (resignedly). Oh, well; — you-all — never mind. 
(Rises.) I guess I'll go up and sharpen my pencils for to- 
morrow's Sunday-school picnic. 

Grant. You don't seem to be very strong for the new 
scheme. What's the matter with it ? 

Car. Oh, it's all right, I suppose. You-all wouldn't be in- 



10 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

terested in my views. Bert, where'd I put my hat? Oh, here 
it is. 

Dick. What'd you say you had to-morrow? 
Car. Applied mechanics. Ten forty-five. 
Bert. What are you going to study for it ? 
Car. I dunno. Come on up by and by, will you ? 
Bert. Sure, I guess so. 
Car. Good-night ! 

Others {variously). 'Night. [JExit Car. 

Grant {rising, standing in back of chair). What's the 
matter with that yap, anyway ? Doesn't he think the honor 
system is a good thing, Bert? 

Bert. Why, I don't know. Sure, I guess so. 
Grant. You're the only one that he goes around with, you 
ought to know. 

Bert. Well, he did say that he didn't see what good it 
was. 

Dick. Yes, I was talking to him on the way up, and I was 
trying to tell him about the moral benefits of it. He wasn't 
convinced, I don't believe. 

Grant. Well,— for heaven's sakes, he'll abide by majority 
rule, won't he? 

Bert. Oh, sure he will. He's all right, Carson is, only he 
says the crowd don't understand him, that's all. 

Grant. H'm ! Then he better be easier for the crowd to 
understand. (Gets up, yawns and stretches ; walks to door 
c.) Well, I guess I'll go upstairs. I'll be down for that book 
on sanitary when you get through with it, Dick. 
Dick. All right, you can have it before long. 
Grant. 'Right. So long. 

[Exit, c. Pause ; business. 
Dick. I guess you've got enough to do right here to-night, 
haven't you, with that exam in applied coming to-morrow? 

Bert. Oh, I don't know. There's not much use studying 
for his exams. You'll flunk 'em anyway, so what's the use ? 
Dick. Rats ! Go through that last year's exam I gave you. 

{They begin to study, back to back. Business.) 

Bert. Say, Dick, about that column problem I was asking 
you about this afternoon— what formula did you say to use ? 

Dick. Well, there's only one formula you can use in prob- 
lems like that : that's Rankine's. Ever heard of Rankine's 
formula ? 



HIS WORD OF HONOR II 

Bert. Oh, yah ! Le's see, that's big P equals twelve thou- 
sand A over L-square — is it L-square ? 

Dick. Huh? No, let's see — it's one plus L-square over 
thirty-six thousand R-square. 

Bert {finding place in book). Oh, yes. Big P equals 
twelve thousand A, over one plus L-square over thirty-six 
thousand R-square, plus e y over R-square. Is that right ? 

Dick. Yep. (Is very busy ; pause.) 

Bert. Well, this is big P. What's small p ? 

Dick. What's small p? Unit pressure, isn't it? {More 
and more impatiently.) Yes, that's unit pressure; you don't 
want that. Gee whiz ! 

Bert. Oh, yes. — Well, what's this r, now? 

Dick. R is Rats ! Rum ! — Radius of gyration, idiot ; didn't 
the Prof, drill that into you ? 

Bert. Oh, sure. (Pause.) Twelve thousand A over one 
plus L-square — that's — say, do you take this L in feet or 
inches ? 

Dick. Inches, inches, you bone-head ! — I'm studying ! 

(Pause.) 

Bert. Here's another thing I don't see ; if e is your eccen- 
tricity, and y is — le's see — y is the distance to your outermost 
fibre — how can you tell which radius of gyration to use? — 
Huh?— Dick! 

Dick. Oh, shut up ! I don't know ! What the devil do 
you keep asking me about it for? For heaven's sake, use your 
head ! I can't take the examination for you ! You've got to 
dope something out for yourself ! 

Bert (injured). Well, what's the matter with you ? Can't 
you give a fellow a lift ? 

Dick. Well, yes, I can, but I don't expect to have to lug 
him round on my back ! If you had stayed here oftener nights 
instead of beating it all around with Carson, you'd know some- 
thing about it yourself. 

Bert. Carson, that's right, lug in Carson ! (Rises, goes 
to c.) What the deuce have you got against Carson, anyhow ? 

Dick. I've nothing particular against Carson,— -and no 
particular use for him either, as far as that goes. In the first 
place he isn't a sticker. 

Bert. Why isn't he? 

Dick. Before he came here he went to Michigan a year, 
and before that to Colgate — never two years in one place. 



12 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

And he always thinks he's getting in wrong. He doesn't feel 
as if he fitted here, and he thinks it's not his fault. 

(Bert sits on sofa.) 

Bert. Well, that's all right. Maybe he couldn't get what 
he wanted at the other places. 

Dick. Oh, rats ! He doesn't seem to be sharking anything 
here, not so's you'd notice it, — and you're taking things pretty 
blamed easy yourself. 

Bert (rising). I don't know that it's any of your business 
if I am, Grandfather Walthour. 

Dick. It is my business. When you came down here your 
father especially asked me to room with you, to give you a lift, 
and keep you headed right, and up to now I've made it my 
business, not because you've always been so everlasting pleas- 
ant, but because I was anxious to please your father — and 
because Helen is always inquiring and anxious about your 
success. 

Bert (coming down to his desk). So good of you to want 
to please dad, when he's been advancing your tuition for the 
last year and a half ! 

Dick. Oh, come on, Bert, cut that out. 

Bert. Well, he did, didn't he? 

Dick. Merely as a loan, yes. (Bert sit*.) But your 
father is a dozen times more level-headed than you will ever 
be, and he doesn't expect me to black your boots on account 
of it, — and what's more I don't intend to. Furthermore, any 
business transaction I have with your father doesn't concern 
you, so put that in your pipe and smoke it. I'm getting 
mighty sick of the spirit you have been displaying for the last 
two months, and if you can't get together and show some fight 
for yourself, you can go straight to the devil for all of me. Now 
buckle down and get busy ! (Crosses to his desk.) 

Bert (pausing a moment, then jumping tip, taking his cap). 
Watch me ! 

Dick. Here, where you going ? 

(Exit Bert, slamming door ; Dick makes a motion as if to 
follow, but stops. In a moment, enter Grant, in a bath 
robe.) 

Grant. Through with the book, Dick ? 
Dick. Yes. 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 1 3 

(Grant goes to Dick's desk, takes book.) 

Grant. Where's Bert ? — What's the matter ? 

Dick. Oh, I got after him about his work, and he got sore 
and went — out. 

Grant. Why, is he — isn't he up in his studies? 

Dick. He's on pro., and I don't see how he'll ever get by 
if he doesn't pass applied mechanics. 

Grant. Darned if I'd bother with him if that's the spirit 
he's got. 

Dick. Bother ! I've got to bother with him ! We've been 
round together all our lives up to this year, Harvey. He's 
always been the best- hearted kid you ever saw until now. Got 
everything to work for, and look what he's doing. 

Grant (up r. a). That's the way with some fellows. 
Have everything in the world come their way, and don't know 

enough (Bert's voice without.') That's Bert, isn't it? 

(Enter Bert ; goes into bedroom. Grant watches Bert into 
bedroom, then turns.) Well, so long. [Exit, c 

Dick. Going to study the applied with Carson, Bert ? 

Bert (coming out with derby on, putting on overcoat). No ! 

Dick. Why, for heaven's sake, you're not going away 
to-night, are you ? 

Bert (at desk, getting box of cigarettes ; defiantly). Yes, 
I am. Any objections? {Coolly lights cigarette.) 

Dick. Yes, I have. You've got an exam to-morrow, and 
you ought to be studying for it. 

Car. {from outside, impatiently). Come on, Bert; we'll 
never get within a mile of the Epicure if you don't hustle. 

Dick. Now look here, Bert, you'd better cut this out. If 
you don't get by this exam you won't get off pro., that's all. 
Think it over, now. (Puts his hand on his arm detainingly .) 
Come on now, take off your coat and get busy, will you ? 

Bert (throwing off his hand and stepping toward door). 
Go to the devil, you mollycoddle ! I'll do as I please. 

[Exit c., slamming door. 



CURTAIN 



ACT II 

SCENE i. — A bit of Professors 1 Row, next morning at 8 .-50. 
Snow strip in foreground ; set tree; sidewalk ; fence and 
tree-tops in background. Only half stage need be used. 
May be set in one. 

Enter Hunter, Jackson, King and Wilkins, r., one, King, 

turning pages of book. 

Hunter. Only two more exams for me after this one. 
Jack. Same here. Then me for the woods till registration. 
King. When's registration come, anyway? 
Hunter {cheerfully). Oh, that needn't worry you. You'll 
have your trunk packed by that time. 

{The dialogue must be rapid.) 

Wilkins. Sure, you'll be on your way back to Saugus by 
that time. 

King. Not 'f I pass this exam 

Jack. Cheer up, you won't. Mark's exams are sons-o'- 
guns, I heard. 

{All go out talking.) 

Enter Dick, l. ; Grant, r. 

Grant. Hello, Dick. 

Dick. Hello, Harv. Got an exam this hour ? 

{They stop c.) 

Grant. No ; I've got to turn in an exam book to Nancy, 
that's all. Where you bound ? {Starts away.) 

Dick {speaking as he walks). Up to the room. Is Bert up 
yet? 

Grant. No ; didn't see him. 

Dick. So long. [Exeunt Dick, l., Grant, r. 

{Enter Kid and Hack., l., walking slowly.) 

Kid. He's all the candy when it comes to shootin' baskets. 
Did you see him in the Williams game ? Oh, what speed ! 

14 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 15 

Hack. Yah ! Hey, here comes Arethusa ; now watch me 
make her sit up and take notice. 
Kid. What for ? Here, hold this. 

{Gives Hack, book while he ties his shoe. Business.') 

Enter Arethusa A. Judkins, with 'another girl, l. 

Hack, {in a loud voice). Now, I consider Plato's pluralistic 
immaterialism infinitely superior — (Areth. bows ; Hack, takes 
off cap) infinitely superior to any teleological conception pre- 
viously advanced, despite his occasional ascetism. 

Areth. (to her companion). I think Mr. Hackett is just 
splendid! He's so intellectual ! [Exeunt girls, r. 

Kid. Oh, Agnes ! Is your jaw still on ? 

Hack. Sure. That's the kind of stuff she likes to tear off. 

Kid. Well, y' know what Cap. "Dusty" said. 

Hack. What d' he say? 

Kid {taking box). Says some o' these co-eds oughter forget 
they're co-eds, and remember they're human. Go on, here's a 
bunch of 'em. (Looks offh. Hack, and Kid are facing each 
other. Hack, looking off r., lifts cap and smiles. Kid looks 
behind him.) Oh, you soft guy ! G'wan, here's Tard. 

{Pushes Hack, off r.) 

Enter Molly Atkins and Janette Gordon, r., then Pro- 
fessor Nicely ; followed by Helen Flemming and sev- 
eral other girls, L., some carrying bags or suit cases. 
Prof. N. bows to girls, and exits l. Salutations ; busi- 
ness. Hel. stops Mol. and Jan. near r. ; other girls 
exeunt l. 

Hel. Where are you going ? 

Jan. Just down to the post-office. Come on down with us. 

Mol. Yes, come on. 

Hel. No, I can't. I've got to study economics. Did you 
notice " Tard." hustling to his exam ? Most five minutes late, 
as usual. 

Jan. Oh, sure enough. (Looks offi.., and smiles.) 

Mol. He has German three this hour. 

Jan. (turning). Oh, we just met Dick. 

Hel. Did you ? Where ? 

Jan. Up there. Molly said he looked like a Pilgrim elder. 
Say, come on. (Starts toward R.) 



l6 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Hel. I can't, really. 

Mol. Well, he did. He must have a hard exam or some- 
thing, — his face was as long as that {business) truly. 

Hel. No, he said he didn't, — not this morning. Bert has, 
though. 

Jan. Has he ? What is it ? 

Mol. Yes, I think Arthur Carson has that, too. Applied 
— something or other. 

Jan. Here's Leo. 

Enter Professor Loomis, l. Passes over the stage, bows to 
girls y exits r. 

Hel. I guess that applied stuff is awfully hard. Bert says 
it is. 

Mol. {nodding). M-m. 

Jan. (as Prof. L. goes out). Say, I thought the girls had 
French five this hour? 

Mol. They do. Alice Johnson 

Jan. Well, what's Leo back for then ? 

Mol. I — don't 

Hel. Oh, I know; it's this new honor system business. 
The professors don't stay in the room after the exam begins. 

Jan. Oh, yes. Isn't it silly? I don't see what good it is. 

Mol. Nor I, either. All this business about the whatcher- 
call-it at the end to say you didn't crib. Just as if anybody'd 
cheat in a mid-years ! 

Jan. And you have to tell if you see any one cheating. 

Mol. Well, I wouldn't, I'll tell you that much ! 

Jan. But, Molly, — why — why — you said you would when 
you voted for it. 

Mol. (brazenly). I didn't vote for it. 

Hel. What! You didn't? 

Jan. You Why, Molly, you did, too — it was unani- 
mous, — Mabel said so. 

Mol. I don't care if she did (half mockingly) say so. I 
didn't vote for it, so there ! When Mabel said, " All in favor 
please say 'Aye,' " I just opened my mouth, and didn't say a 
word. Do you call that voting for it ? 

Jan. (reflectively) . I — I don't know ; I suppose not — and 
yet 

Hel. Well, I think you ought to do as the majority says, 
Molly. It's merely a case of applying Studey Gov. rules to ex- 
aminations. 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 1 7 

Mol. I never reported any one for Studey Gov. rules, and 
I don't intend to. And what's more, I'd like to see the girl 
that would report me. 

Jan. Oh, bother Studey Gov. — and freshmen. Come on, 
girls, I want to mail these letters. 

Mol. Oh, wait, here's Demi-Tasse; he'll take them down. 

Hel. Who's Demi-Tasse? 

Mol. Oh, young Coffey. 

Enter Coffey, r. , with book and letter. 

Cof. Here's a special delivery for you, Miss Flemming. 
(Gives her letter, and shows place in book.) Right there. 

Hel. (signing). Oh ! — oh ! from father ! I wonder what 
it is. Thank you. (Returns book to Cof.) 

Jan. (to Cof., as Hel. opens letter). Oh, here. Will you 
mail these, please? (Gives him letters.) 

Cof. Sure, I'd just's soon. (Business; Cof. and 'letters.) 

Jan. Thank you. [Exit Cof., r. 

Hel. (reading letter). Oh, he's coming to Boston Thurs- 
day, maybe Wednesday, and he's coming out here. {They 
start toward l. ) Isn' t that great ? 

?AN L ' 1 0h » dandy ! IS11,t that filie ? 

Enter Areth., l., with letters, meeting girls C. 

- Areth. Hello, Helen ; have you studied for the psy- 
chology ? 

Hel. No ; not yet. 

Areth. I see. I think I saw your brother last night, Helen. 

Hel. Oh, Bert? Where? 

Areth. On the car, when I was coming out from the opera. 

(With ostentation.) 

Hel. Oh, I don't believe it was Bert, was it? 

Areth. Well, I wasn't sure. I didn't look very closely. 

Hel. No, I guess it wasn't my brother. He had to study 
last night. 

Areth. I see. Well, this man was sort of — asleep, — so I 
wasn't positive. I thought it looked something like him. 

Hel. Oh, no; it couldn't have been. He has an exam 
to-day. 

Areth. Well, of course I don't know him very well. 

[Exit, r. 



l8 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Jan. Bert ! Of course it wasn't ! 

Mol. Oh, she's funny. She's always seeing things. 

[Exeunt, L. 

Enter several students R., among them Grant, with Kid 
bringing up the rear. 

Hunter. No, sir, no more lab. for mine till after mid- 
years, eh, Brown ? 

Jack. Me either. I've done enough to get by, any 

Kid (who has been looking back). Hey, fellers, stand here 
a second, — here's Jerry. You know what he said down to the 
house about sendin' oranges to Leo? (To Grant.) Well, 
I'm going to tell him I told Leo. 

Grant. He won't believe it. 

Hunter. Why, what'd he say? 

Kid. Well, y' know Jerry got a fierce review test from Leo 
and flunked it. — Sore as blazes. So I was comin' up to Loo's 
with some Glee Club stuff, 'nd he says, " Tell Leo I'm going 
to send him a box of oranges," he says. " A Prof, that can give 
an exam like that oughter be appreciated." 

Grant. Sarcastic as the deuce, you know. 

Kid. Ya, but I just said, "All right," and beat it out. 
Now wait till I tell him I told Leo. 

Jack. Gee, d'ye think he'll swallow that? 

Hunter. Sure he will. 

Grant (sotto voce). Talk about something else. (Enter 
Hack. Grant, aloud.) Now, I think this graduate coach- 
ing is a good thing myself. 

Kid. Comin' up to the room, Jerry ? Oh, say, I told Leo 
that you were going to send him those oranges. 

Hack. Yes, you did ! 

Kid (seriously). Sure; I saw him, all right. He seemed 
kinder pleased, and he says it'll be the first time he ever got a 
box of oranges in return for a lemon. (They laugh.) 

Hack. Aw, go on ; you didn't tell him. 

Kid. I tell you I did. Why ? Why shouldn't I ? 

Hack. Do you mean to say you told Leo what I said ? 

Kid. Darn sure I did. Didn't you tell me to? 

Grant. Well, you darned bone-head, Kid ! Can't you 
take a joke ? 

Kid. Why ? What joke ? He asked me to tell him, didn't 
he? 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 19 

Hack. Well, — I'll — be You mutt, you numbskull ! 

What the devil can I do ? 

Grant. I'd take a sneak in and tell Leo all about it. 

Hunter. Sure, I would. He'll think it's bribery. 

Hack, {looking dubiously toward Prof. L.'s house). Gee, 
I guess I'll have to. {Starts off r.) 

Kid. Ya, go ahead. We'll wait here for you. {Exit 
Hack., r.) I thought he meant {Pause.) Ha, ha, ha! 

Jack. Aw, say, that's a crime ! What'll he say to Leo? 

Kid. Leo ain't home. No, I saw him going up to the 
libr'y just before we came up. 

Hunter. Didn't he bite nice, though? Oh, Lord ! 

Kid. Yah — here he comes back, hot-foot. Sober up ! 
{Pause as they wait for Hack., who hurries in r.) What did 
he say, Jerry ? 

Hack, {hardly stopping). Aw, he wasn't home. I'm going 
to get Deac. to fix it up with him. You bone-head, Fraser 1 

{Exit Hack. , l. Business of laughter by the others. Ex- 
eunt onmes, l. Curtain or change.) 



SCENE 2. — The room of Dick and Bert, same morning, an 
hour later. Dick is discovered at his desk, studying. He 
looks at his watch, then toward the door of the bedroom. 
Calls. 

Dick. Bert !— Oh, Bert ! 

Bert {off stage, sleepily). Huh? 

Dick. Come on, you've got an examination next hour. 
Get a move on. {In a minute, enter Bert, r., in bath robe, 
looking disheveled and dissipated. Business. Glances sheep- 
ishly at Dick. Dick looks at him for a moment, then laughs.) 
Ha, ha, ha ! You're certainly a mess ! Look's if you'd been 
on a bat for a week ! Take a look at yourself ! 

Bert {grinning a bit, sheepishly). 'Time is it, anyway? 

Dick. After ten o'clock ; guess you better get together for 
your exam. Did you look at the book after you came in last 
night ? 

Bert {shuddering). N-no; say, it's cold inhere. {Busi- 
. ness.) Gee, I'm sleepy ! 

Dick {dryly). I thought likely. Well, you got time to get 
one or two formulas yet if you hustle — 'specially Rankine's. 



20 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

You'll have that sure, — and you know you can't crib under 
this new honor system. 

Bert. Oh, Lord, how '11 I ever get by ? I gotta have some- 
thing to eat before I c'n do a blame thing; I'm empty for 
fair. (Yawns.) 

Dick. There's not much time. There's some bananas and 
cake and stuff in the bottom drawer of my dresser. Better feed 
here and save all the time you can. 

(Bert starts for bedroom, looks at Dick, hesitates, and then 
turns toward Dick, who is at his desk, back to Bert.) 

Bert. Say, Dick, you're — you're a good old scout, and no 
mistake. I — I guess I talked pretty rotten to you last night — 
and I want to 

Dick. Oh, forget it, Bert. That's all right, forget it, — I 
have. 

Bert. No, it isn't all right. I know I was a darn crumb 
to say what I did. I do know when a fellow uses me white, 
after all, — although I'm not worth it, — I'm not worth it, — or 
anything else. 

Dick. Oh, come on now; cut out this "unworthy" busi- 
ness! You're just feeling a little "morning-afterish," that's 
all's the matter with you. This is the first time you've been 
on pro., and you can get off yet if you boost. You can do it ! 
You've got the brains if you'll only get down to it. 

Bert. I don't know about that. 

Dick. Well, I do. Take a brace and give it a try ! — 
Worth it ! You've got to be worth it now, you've got to ! 
You can't throw away all your father's hopes for you just for 
want of a little sand ! You'd — you'd finish him. — And then 
Helen. Stuck by you all through, Helen has, — when you had 
your scrap with him and all, — always sure you'd win out. 
You couldn't disappoint Helen that way, after the way she's 
treated you. Buck up, old man, get together, and I'll bet we'll 
show them up yet ! {Slaps him on the back.) 

Bert (shaking shoulders). Gad, you pump the nerve into 
a fellow ! I guess you can put some money that same way for 
me, too. 

Dick. That's the eye ! Now you're talking ! Go to it ! 

(Bert starts toward bedroom, then turns again.) 

Bert. Say, but you were right about that man Carson. 
I'm going to give him the go-by after this. 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 21 

Dick. Why, what's the matter? 

Bert. Well, I d' know, but I — I could have kept after the 
lessons better if it hadn't been for him. He was always asking 
me to go somewhere, and taking me away from studying. I'd 
never 'a' got on pro. if it hadn't been for him. 

Dick. Oh, rats ! Forget it ! Don't rub it into Carson. 
It's as much your fault as his. Now get into your clothes. 

Bert (at desk). Ya, I will. You always kept me off pro. 
when I got these little "billy-doos " from the office before. 
{Shows a bunch of faculty warnings. Dick shakes his head.) 
Sure you did ! I'll fight shy of that correspondence after this. 
It's me for the "immediate and marked improvement." » 

(Goes inside of bedroom, gets soap, towel, etc.) 

Dick {laughing). Well, you want to. {Exit Bert, c, 
with towel, etc. Business. Dick goes over and looks at 
Bert's notices, then smiling, goes to his desk a?id pulls one 
frotn drawer, which he smiles over. Enter Car. with green 
bag as Dick speaks.) ' ' Immediate and marked improvement. ' ' 
Ha, ha, ha ! — Oh, hello, Carson. 

Car. (with a-ready-to- sneer air). What the dickens ! Have 
you got a warning? 

Dick. No, this is one I got my freshman year. 

Car. Oh! (Picks up paper from table.) Where's Bert? — 
Up? (Sits r. with paper.) 

Dick. Yes — washing. 

Car. M-hm. (Dick takes hat.) Going out? 

Dick. Yes — library. Ready for your exams, I suppose ? 

Car. (shrugging). Oh, — huh — sure. {Exit Dick. Car. 
lights cigarette. Enter Bert.) Ah there, Cutey ! How are 
you now? (Bert growls i?i reply and goes into bedroom.) 
What's the matter, Bert; all in this morning? 

Bert (from bedroom). No. 

Car. {with a laugh) . Need a seltzer ? 

Bert. No ! 

(Car., business ; pause. Bert comes in dressed, eating a 
piece of cake. Goes to desk.) 

Car. (smiling). Going to begin on the applied, Bert ? 
Bert (mouth full). Well, suppose I am ? 
Car. Oh, cheer up; I'm not going to ask you for half 
your breakfast. 



22 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Bert. Who said you were ? 

Car. Well, say, what the dickens is the matter with you, 
anyhow ? Does your face pain you ? Or have you got hydro- 
phobia? You've done nothing but growl ever since I came in. 

Bert. 'Sail right. That's my privilege. Now for criminy 
sakes dry up and give me a chance to study. 

Car. Why di'n' you say so ! This is a devil of a time to 
begin studyin'. 

Bert. If it hadn't been for you, I'd 'a' had it all done last 
night. 

Car. For me ! Wha'd I 

Bert. Yes, you. Didn't you get me to go to Boston last 
night when I oughter been studying, and get me to stay in late 
instead of coming out early ? 

Car. Well, what do you know about that ? Who was it 
came up to my room and suggested going to Boston, me or 
you ? I — get you to go in ! My word ! 

Bert. That's all right ; you were the first to start in. 
You've always helped me into affairs like that. Always getting 
me in wrong with your chasing in town. If I'd stayed here 
studying more instead of letting you — instead of beating it 
round with you, I wouldn't be on pro. to-day. You never do 
any work yourself and think no one else wants to. It's just 
your lazy, indolent, Southern blood that you make so much 
brag about. You can't buckle down 

Car. Cut that out ! Cut it out ! I won't stand fo't. 
(Pause.) It's too bad about you bein' led into temptation ! 
Why don't you hire a nurse to take care o' you? 

Bert (imitati?ig him). Ah's got de bes' blood in V'ginia. 

Car. Look here ! Don't you make any remarks about my 
blood or I'll knock you 

Bert. Don't you threaten me, you blasted slave-driver ! 
If your blood's so fine why don't you talk like an American, 
and not like a filthy nigger? Get out of here now before I 
fire you out. You sicken me. 

Car. Like a — nigger ! (Starts toward Bert, who backs 
aivay.) You miserable cur ! I'll make you sweat blood for 
that ! [Exit, meeting Kid and Hack, at door. 

Enter Kid and Hack. Kid has drawing-board, T-square, 
books, etc. Hack, has book. 

Kid. Hey, Dixey, what's your rush ? 



HIS WORD OF HONOR *3 

Hack. Gee, Carson's looking ugly ! What is it ; going 
out to make a kick against the system? 

Kid Or did Molly throw him down ? 

Bert. No ; I was throwing some things up to him, that s 
all. I guess he was some stirred up. 

Kid. What was it ? 

Bert. Oh, nothing much. What are you fellers going 

to do ? . 

Kid (standing looking at him). Han f . ' ■ 

Bert. Where— what are you doing with the drawing-board 

^H^rL tobacco-jar filling pipe). Oh, we were going to 
study in here if you don't raise any— serious— objections. ( With 
a bow.) Our room is cold as blazes, and so — - 

Kid Don't you believe him, Bert ; it's as cold as icicles on 
the north side of the North Pole. Our janitor must 'a' gone to 
Jamaica for a sea bath. I don't wanter be froze stiff. 

Bert All those north side rooms are cold. We had one 
first year Well, you fellers have got to keep darn quiet, cause 
I'm going to study. If you don't, I'll fire you out, see? 

(Sits at desk and begins to study.) 
Kid. Sure, the theory is all right. 

(Steps across and slips into chair «/ Bert's desk just before 
Hack, reaches it.) 

Hack Hey, freshman, get out of there. 

Kid. ' Aw, g'wan, forget it; I got to draw; you can sit 
over there. . , T , . , 

Hack Oh, well, I don't care. Gi's a match. (Kid^j 
ul> match from desk and gives it to him. Hack, sits in arm- 
chair l Kid is drawing. Bert has thumbs on his ears, 
studying. Pause.) What chou doing, Kid; designing a hen- 

°°KiD. You're an A. B. ; you wouldn't get wise if I told you. 
I'm doing some mechanical drawing. 

Hack. What, do they let you do it in your room? 

Kid. Sh! Keep quiet,— can't you see Berts studying? 
Besides, this ain't my room. . 

Hack M-m, always working something off on the mstiuct- 
ors. It's a wonder you wouldn't get your work done once in 



a while. 



24 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Kid. I been too busy handing down matches and stuff. 
Now sop up your fine arts and stow the jabber. 

Hack, {pretending to be shocked}. Oh, Mr. Fraser, your 
slang is ghastly ! 

(A pause as Kid inks his drawing. Starts to put pen in 
his mouth and drops it 011 paper.} 

Kid. Damn it all ! 

Hack. I beg pardon ? What happened to you ? ( Gets up. ) 

Kid. Will you look at that ! Right on the paper ! Wouldn't 
that come and get you? (Business.) 

Hack, (sitting again). I'm sorry. What' 11 you do, draw 
it over ? 

Kid. Draw it over, you pie-faced lemon ! After I spent 
five hours on it? Not so's you'd notice it ! I'll put the whole 
thing on the blink first. (Business.) 

Bert (writing). Plus e-y over r-square — there, by gosh, 
I've got two of 'em down cold anyway. You fellows chew the 
rag like a couple of old women. (Hack, is laughing at Kid.) 
What's the joke? 

Hack. Kid's getting unsteady in his old age. Look what 
he's doing. 

(Bert looks at drawing.} 

Bert. Tough luck, Kid ! Want some alcohol? 

Kid. Sure ; got some ? 

Bert. Sure. (Goes to his desk and gets bottle.) 

Hack. Better not give him any, he's shaky enough now. 

Kid. Oh, fly away ! 

Bert (handing him bottle). Here you are. 

Kid. Ah ! Ad a boy ! Much obliged to meetcha. 

Bert. Well, I'm going down to see what Nancy's got to 
offer. 

Kid. Applied exam, Bert ? 

Bert. Ya. Son-of-a-gun, too. 

Kid. I'm sorry. Well, I wish you joy. 

Bert. I won't have much. (Goes to book again , recites 
formulas half under his breath, then closes book and puts it 
in desk rack.) I've got two of 'em all right, anyhow. Lock 
the door when you come out. So long. 

Hack. So long, Bert. 

Kid. Be good, Bert. (Calls out.) Remember the honor 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 2$ 

system. {Exit Bert, c.) Gee, Bert is a good old boss to 
gimme this alcohol. He's a darn fine guy when you come to 
a show down, Bert is. 

Hack. Yep, he's all right. I've only got one thing against 
him. 

Kid (interested). What's that? 

Hack. He's too solid with Janette Gordon. 

Kid. Well, what of it ? 

Hack. Oh, I don't know. I kinder think if it wasn't for 
him I'd stand in there myself pretty good. (Smiles.) 

Kid. You? Oh! Oh! Oh! Will you listen to him 
rave? — d'yuh think a wall-eyed prune like you would stand a 
show? Oh, my, oh, my! (Business.) That's what you 
laughed so darn hard about last night when I was jollying Bert. 
I'm wise now ! 

Hack, (sarcastically). Gee, but you're a wise kid, aren't 
you, what? 

Kid. I'm wise enough for that. But let me tell you now 
if you ever try to cut my old pal Bert out, I'll — s-slap you on 
the wrist. 

Hack. I guess I won't cut him out. Too much bother. 

Kid. Ya, — sure, — bother ! How'd he start going with her, 
anyway ? 

Hack. Why, freshman year he was class marshal and she 
was secretary, I think ; so, seeing they were holding office to- 
gether, why 

Kid. Why, now they're holding hands, eh ? 

Hack. Sure. Never mind, I see her oftener than he does. 
She's in my classes. I'll see her at my next exam. 

Kid. When's your next one come ? 

Hack. 'Morrow. Eight forty-five. 

Kid. Humph ! What is it, domestic science ? 

Hack. No, you're an engineer ; you wouldn't get wise if I 
told you. Now keep quiet. I want to study, see? 

Kid. Oh ! Study ! Oh, yes. (Pause ; business.) 

Hack. Say, what do you s'pose was the matter between 
Bert and Carson when we came in ? 

Kid. Gad, I dunno. Didn't he look some ugly though ? 
Gee! 

Hack. You bet ! Bert sort 'a' passed it off though. 
These Southerners must have fierce tempers. 

Kid. Yes ; d' juh see how mad he got when I started to 
kid him about Molly last night ? 



26 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Hack. Gee, yes. I thought he'd lay you out before you'd 
stop. 

Kid. Ya ! But he'd 'a' had to go some ! Er — now keep 
quiet, I want to study — want to draw, see ? 

Hack. Oh, is that it ? Draw ? Oh, yes. 

{Pause ; business.) 

Kid. Say, on the level now, this honor system's got my 
goat. 

Hack. Why ? 

Kid. Well, if the fellow beside you slips you a poke in the 
slats and says, "Hey, feller, what's Cos. 2 A?" you gotta 
put on a straight jacket, give him a Sunday-school eye and 
say, "Naughty, Willie! " 

Hack, {laughing). Oh, no. Just tip him a wink and ask 
him if he sees any hay-seed growing in your beard. 

Kid. Aw, that 'ud be kinder raw. And then, it says the 
instructors will remain long enough to answer necessary ques- 
tions. I know five it'll be necessary for me to ask Professor 
Wrentham to-morrow. 

Hack. Spring 'em. What are they ? 

Kid. How to do the first five questions on the exam. He 
said I'd get by the course if I passed the exam. 

Hack. The first five ? How about the rest ? 

(Hack, picks up mandolin.) 

Kid. Oh, that's as far as I'll get. What d'yuh think I 
am ? A greasy boner ? 

Hack, {picking at mandolin). Oh, no, nothing like that. 

(Hack, tries to play " Home, Sweet Home.") 

Kid {after standing it as long as possible). Oh, hey ! give 
it a drink, for the love of Mike ! 

Hack, {putting it down). Well, you won't let me study. 

Kid. Oh, pity Mary Ann ! I won't let him study ! Ain't 
I the cut-up ? 

Hack. That's all right. If you ever get caught cribbing, 
when your case comes up, I'll give you a black eye with the 
Council. 

Kid. No you won't. D'yu think I'd let a mutt like you 
try me? Nix. I'd appeal. I don't see how you ever got put 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 2J 

on the Council, unless it was that pompadour. There's a lot 
of good points on that. 

Hack. Oh, they've got to have some good men on it. 

(Kid laughs scornfully as knocking is heard without.') 

Kid. Tell it to Sweeney. {Falsetto.) Come in. {Enter 
Grant.) Hey, Harvey, welcome to our city ! 

Grant. What have you fellows done, moved in here ? 

Hack. Ah, Harvey ! Just the man I'm looking for ! 
Gimme one of your Turkish Trophies, will you? 

Kid. We came in here out of the breeze. 

Grant. Well, Jerry, did Deac. fix it up about Leo's 
oranges? {Throws box to Hack.) 

Hack. No ! You two and your darn bum gang o' rowdies ! 

{Takes cigarette.) 

Kid. Look out for him ! That's the signal for him to go 
dippy. 

Grant. Ha, ha ! When did he get wise ? 

{Catches box which Hack, throws back.) 

Kid. I put him wise after he'd seen Deac. Then y'oughter 
see him beat it. 

(Hack, pursues Kid around table, tipping it a little.) 

Grant. Look out, look out, you'll bust something. 

Hack, {stopping). Well, give us a match. (Grant hands 
him matches ; Hack, lights zip.) How's our system working 
down below ? 

Kid. Sure — change the subject. 

(Hack, feigns to throtv book. Kid ducks.) 

Grant. All right, I guess. There were three exams in 
Robinson the first two hours. Went all right. Some of the 
fellows went out for a smoke. They thought that was great. 

Hack. Aw, I don't believe anybody'll try to queer it, — 
except Kid there. See what he's doing ? Making a diagram 
to beat the system and cheat honestly. 

{Goes to table for match.) 

Kid. There, I guess that'll do the son-of-a-gun. Don't 



28 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

mind what that mutt says, Grant. He's a real honest-to-good- 
ness soft guy. Look at him, readin' Fine Arts ! What's Fine 
Arts about, Jerry; pretty pictures by Cuspidoro, or Gothic 
cooking utensils ? 

Hack. Young feller, you seem to forget that you're noth- 
ing but an insignificant freshman. 

Kid. Well, I've doped it out that I'd rather have insignifi- 
cant freshness than significant sophness, whatever that is. I 
gotter take this down to the Prof. Come on down, soft guy, 
and I'll show you a good school. 

Hack. What time is it ? {Pulls out watch.) Guess I'll 
go down to the post- office anyway. 

Kid. Well, what time is it ? 

Hack. Quarter past twelve ! 

Kid (with affectation). Oh, thank you so much ! So gen- 
erous of you, so exquisite, so demi-tasse, so excruciatingly 
eligaloptious ! There, I bet you can't spell that one ;— I can't. 

Hack. When in doubt as to the spelling of a word go to 
your English instructor. 

Kid. And he will look it up in the dictionary. 

Grant. See if I got any mail, will you ? 

Hack. Sure. (Starts for door.) 

Kid. Sure, bring the fusser his mail. Hold on, Jerry. 
(Near door, playfully with weird gestures.) Oh, Harvey, 
just kinder — take care o' my room here while I'm gone, will 
you ? Just — kinder — keep the mats straight, y'know, — and — 
keep the dust off the bookcase, 'n' — kinder — keep that Gamma 
Delta Pi pillow smooth, — 'n' — y'know. (Business.) 

Grant (amused). Sure, I know. 

Hack, (outside). Come on, Kid, come on. 

Kid. And say, if you want any tobacco, there's the jar on 
the table. Help yourself, — Jerry Hackett does. 

Hack, (coming in and pulling him toward door). Come 
out of that and stop your cheap talk. Got a match ? 

[Exeunt Kid and Hack. 

Kid (outside). Ow ! No ! Lea' me alone ! — Hello, Inch ! 
(Grant sits, to smoke. Enter Mrs. MacInchbald, with 
broom, duster, etc.) 

Mrs. M. Arrah, they're the divil's own byes, thim two. 

Grant. Oh, good morning, Auntie Inch ! 

Mrs. M. Mrs. MacInchbald, if ye plaze. 

Grant (grandiloquently). Oh, I beg pardon, Mrs. Mac- 
Inch-bald. 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 20, 

Mrs. M. And phwhy are yez here at all, I dinno ? Is it 
afther moving you are ? 

Grant. No, just visiting, Mrs. Maclnch. 
Mrs. M. Micklnchbald, if ye plaze ! 

{Starts dusting behind Grant. ) 

Grant. Oh, yes, bald. (Mrs. M. nods.) I forgot you 
were bald. 

Mrs. M. Yes. — Phwha-at? (Feels of her head.) No! 
Arrah the divil run away widchou altogether ! Sure, I'd 
sooner be bald on the outside than on the inside. 

(Mrs. M. dusts table, in Grant's sight, vigorously. Grant 
laughs.) 

Grant. Foreman Brown told me you were the slickest 
chamber girl on the Hill. 

Mrs. M. {sentimentally). Oh, he's an awful noice man, 
Misther Brown is. {Stops dusting.) 

Grant. Yes, he said you could hide the stuff you broke 
about as slick as anything he ever saw. 

Mrs. M. Ah ! {Turns quickly and knocks down small 
glass receptacle, which breaks ; she sweeps pieces behind book- 
case. Grant is laughing.) I'll not shtay here t' be in- 
sulted. (Goes into bedroom with broom, etc.) 

Enter Bert. 

Bert. Oh, hello, Grant. 

Grant (indifferently). Hello. Taking advantage of your 
privilege, I see. 

Bert. Yes, I'm pretty near through. Wanted a smoke, 
and left my cigarettes up here. (Looks for cigarettes.) 

Grant (same). I see. Hard exam ? 

Bert. Yes, pretty stiff. If I c'n finish the last one I'll get 
by, I think. 

Grant. Ah-hah. [Exit. 

(Mrs. M. looks in at door.) 

Mrs. M. Good-morning, Mr. Flemming. 

Bert (looking at watch). Good- afternoon, Mrs. Inchbald. 
(Mrs. M. goes quickly ; Bert smiles.) Yes, sir, if I could 

only finish that last one (Sees "Applied" book and is 

tempted by it. Business. Turns away, gets cigarette on 



30 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

window-sill, then comes back to desk, slowly taking cigarette 
fro?n box, and looking at book. Then turns quickly, a?id 
shakes his head.) If I could remember whether the /was in 
feet or inches. {Lights cigarette.) What did Dick say ? (Short 
pause.) Gad! I remember! — "Inches, inches, you bone- 
head !" That's it, "Inches, you bone-head ! " 

[Exit running, leaving door ajar. 

Enter Mrs. M. 

Mrs. M. {indignantly). Inches- yerbone-head ! Inches-ye- 
bone-head ! Is it to me he was talking? (Tosses her head.) 
Inches-ye-bone-head, indeed ! (Goes back into bedroom.) 

(Car. looks in, then enters ; puts book-bag o?i chair near 
door, and looks for something around room. Presently 
comes back to chair, looks through bag.) 

Car. Where the deuce (Looks around again, and 

comes to Bert's desk where he sees Bert's "Applied" book.) 
Here's his (Takes book a?id turns pages.) 

Mrs. M. (calling from bedroom). Ar-ren't ye gone at all 
yet, Mr. Flemming? 

Car. (laughing, aside). She thinks I'm Bert. (Aloud.) 
No, I'm saying my prayers now. 

Mrs. M. (same). Arrah, g'wan wid ye! 'Tis divil the 
few prayers the loikes iv you'd be saying in the middle iv the 
morning. — Prayers ! — Phwell ! — Prayers ! 

(Car. takes book and walks floor, reading.) 

Car. Here it is. "Rankine's formula — twelve thousand 
A over one plus L-square over thirty-six thousand R-square, 

plus E Y over R-square. Twelve thousand A over " 

Hell! 

(Throws book, open, on desk, thrusts hands in pockets and 
goes to window.) 

Mrs. M. (calling from bedroom). That's no prayer-book 
at all, that's a catechism ! 

Car. Here comes Dick. I don't want him to find me 
here. [Exit, closing door, but leaving bag. 

Enter Dick, as Mrs. M. comes in. 

Mrs. M. Good-morning, Mr. Walthers. 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 3 1 

Dick. Top o' the morning, Mrs. Maclnchbald. 

Mrs. M. Arrah, that roommate iv yours is the divil's own 
bye entoirely. 'Tis bone-head he's afther calling me. 

Dick {laughing). Bone-head? — Why, has he been here? 

Mrs. M. Sure, he's just afther coming in and saying his 
catechism (laughing), and then he wint out. 

Dick (puzzled). Oh ! 

Mrs. M. Yes ! 'Tis " twelve thousand over hell " I heard 
him say, and me in the other room. Inches the bone-head, 
is it; ? 

(Tosses her head, takes broom, duster, etc. Exit, c.) 

Dick. Ha, ha, ha ! "Inches the bone-head." (Goes over 

toward Bert's desk, smiling.) Twelve thousand over 

(Sees book open and starts.) Twelve thousand — ah 

( Business ; he laughs a little, and turns away. Then comes 
lack, looks at book, and turns again. Walks away a little 
each time, but comes back each time more serious. Finally 
leans against table c. and speaks half aloud.) Bert ! (Knock- 
ing on door. Dick, af ter a second.) Come! 

Enter Grant. 

Grant. Hello, Dick. I brought down the book. What 
are you going to do to the exam ? 

Dick. Why, — I don't — just — know. 

Grant. No, you don't ! (Derisively.) I guess you'll 
manage to pull by somehow, without any cribs. (Seriously.) 
The honor system was never made for chaps like you, Dick. 

Dick. Why, that's funny ; I was just thinking of that — the 
honor system. Do you fellows have to try all the cases? 

Grant. Sure. 

Dick. Gee, you'll get into some regular lawyers' complica- 
tions sometimes, won't you? 

Enter Car., without knocking. 

Car. Left my book-bag here somewhere. 

(Looks around for bag.) 

Dick. Oh, all right. 

Grant. Why, what do you mean, — complications? 
Dick. Well, for instance, suppose you knew a fellow went 
into his room during his examination, and you went in just 



32 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

after he left and found a book, or something, bearing on the 
examination, open on his desk, say? 

[Business by Car. ; interested in what Dick is saying ; 
finally goes over to where he can see book on Bert's desk. 
Starts, but says nothing.) 

Grant. Well, I don't know as that would necessarily mean 
anything, — it might, according to circumstances. 

Dick. That's what I mean ; suppose the fellow was down 
in his work, and needed to get by the exam in order to get by 
the course; and suppose there wasn't any one else in the room. 

Grant. I should say that was a pretty good case of circum- 
stantial evidence. 

Dick. You would? Would you convict a man on circum- 
stantial evidence? 

Grant. I don't see why not, if it was good enough, and 
he couldn't prove his innocence. 

(Car., who is a little behind the others, starts forward as if 
to speak, when Bert bursts into room.) 

Bert (to Car.). Hello, nigger -chaser ! (Car. stiffens per- 
ceptibly.) Gad, I bet I got by that exam ! I came out to 
have a smoke, and it cleared my mind in great shape. I was 
kind of stuck on Rankine's formula, but as soon as I'd started 
to smoke a bit, it all came back like a flash. I think the honor 
system is all to the merry, myself. 

Dick (going over to Bert's desk). Bert, — you were in here 
during the exam. (Points. ) There's what I found on your 
desk. (Bert crosses to desk. Dick goes away from it.) Bert 
Flemming, you cheated in that exam ! 

(Bert looks at book, then turns indignantly.) 

Bert. It's a damned lie ! 



CURTAIN 



ACT III 

SCENE. — The Fine Arts room in the library. Door, c. 
Bookcases o?i both sides ; table and chairs. Areth. is dis- 
covered looking along shelves. She selects two books, one of 
which she sits on, and covers with her dress ; begins to study 
the other. 

Enter Hack., who looks along place from which she has taken 
book. Finally turns to Areth. 

Hack. Er — beg your pardon, Miss Judkins. Have you 
seen Allgemeine Kunstgeschichte ? 

Areth. Allgemeine Kunstgeschichte? No, / haven't seen 
it. {Turns to her book.) 

Hack. Thank you. (Continues his search.) 

Enter Mol. and Jan., with books ; they sit at table, talking in 
low tones. Areth. glances up at them, then studies. 
Hack, turns. 

JL * | Good -morning, Mr. Hackett. 

Hack. Good-morning. (He looks at shelves a second 
longer, then turns to Jan. and Mol.) Have either of you seen 
Allgemeine Kunstgeschichte ? 

Mol. {shaking her head). No, I haven't. 

Jan. I don't believe I know what it is. What does it look 
like? 

Hack. Why, it's a leather-backed book, by Knackfusz and 
Zimmerman, about so long (with hands), and so thick, all 
white scrolls on the cover. If you ever saw the cover you'd 
know it. 

(Areth., business of pulling skirt over book. Mol. shakes 
head again.) 

Jan. N-no, I don't think I have seen it. 
Hack. Thank you. Seems as if somebody always had the 
book you wanted the worst. 
Jan. Yes, it does. 
Mol. I know it. I tried three whole days in succession to 

33 



34 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

get a book, and some ma I mean some one got it first 

every time ! 

Hack. Hard lines. But you're beginning to hunt for books 
early, even for a freshman. 

(Mol. is not pleased.') 

Jan. (a bit nervously). You must have been kept terribly 
busy with your — with your Student Council work, Mr. Hackett ? 

(Hack, looks wise.) 

Hack. Yes, you see, I was secretary. We finished up our 
case yesterday. 

(Areth. looks up, glares, and studies again.) 

Mol. Oh, Mr. Hackett, is it true, then, that Mr. Flemming 
is to be expelled for cheating ? 

(Then looks at Jan., aghast at her own temerity.) 

Hack. Yes. It was tough luck, but we had to do it. 

Mol. Oh, I think it was just dreadful ! I don't be- 
lieve he ever did it, — he's so nice (Jan. nods) and — {glancing 
at Jan.) and Helen's brother, too. 

(Areth. glares, then covers ears with hands, and studies.) 

Hack. Yes, I always thought he was a pretty nice chap 
(Jan. nods), and he declares he didn't cheat. 

Mol. Why, then I don't see how you came to — to — have 
him expelled. 

Hack. Well, I — don't — know as we're supposed to discuss 
it outside. 

Jan. (all admiration). Oh, it must be so interesting to be 
secretary of the Student Council ! And you must know so 
much about law and things. I wish I knew all about it ! 

(Arfth., plainly disgusted, gets up, leaving book in chair 
and taking other ; glares at them and exit.) 

Hack. Well, I suppose you won't mention it again. 

Mol. ) n , , 

Jan. I °h, no! 

Hack. Well, you see, it was this way. It was a clear case 
of circumstantial evidence. In the first place, we know that he 
hadn't been doing his work 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 



35 



Jan. Not doing his work ? Why, what had he been doing ? 

Hack. Why, — I don't know — attending to — other things, 
I suppose. 

Jan. Oh, I see. Please go on ; why did you stop ? 

Hack. Why, you 

Jan. I'm sure I didn't, did I, Molly ? Aren't you going on ? 

Hack. Sure. He hadn't been doing his work, and was on 
pro. (Jan. nods.) So of course when we found he went to 
his room during the exam 

Mol. Oh, he went to his room? 

Hack. Yes; you know you're allowed to under the new 
system. 

Jan. Molly, dear, please don't interrupt Mr. Hackett. 
What was it he went there for, anyway, Mr. Hackett? 

Hack. For some cigarettes, he says. 

Jan. Ugh ! {Business. Hack, slips box of cigarettes 
from coat pocket to back trousers pocket. Prof. N. looks in 
at door, then goes.) Oh, you're stopping again ! 

Hack. Yes ; and so, — and so when the book was found 
open on his desk to a place bearing on the examination, of 
course we had to convict him. 

Mol. Oh, how perfectly horrid ! 

Jan. I don't see why you had to. For instance, I should 
think that even if any one hadn't been doing the work every 
single day, if he studied hard the night before, he might pass. 

Hack. That's just the trouble. You see they went to town 
the night before, — he and Arthur Carson, — er, that is he went 
— er — out that night. 

Mo f Went in town ! 

Mol. Did you say that Arthur — Mr. Carson went to Boston 
the night before the exam ? 

Hack. Well, yes, — they did, — but (Pause.) 

Jan. But I'm perfectly sure he didn't cheat ; aren't you, 
Mr. Hackett? 

Hack. Why, — yes. That is, — of course. He couldn't 
have 

Jan. Yes, and thank you so much. 

(Turns back. .to him, and face to Mol. Hack, looks at them 
a moment as if to speak, when Kid glances in, and seeing 
Hack., comes up to door.) 

Kid. Hey, come away from that horse's head ! 



36 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

(Hack, shakes his head, then turns and goes out, rappi?ig 
head with knuckles.) 

Mol. Wasn't it perfectly dreadful for them to do such a 
thing ! I never thought Arthur would do anything so foolish. 
Before a hard exam ! 

Jan. "Attending to other things," he said. When I told 
Bert he mustn't come down to see me quite so much, I meant 
for him to study more ; but he hasn't, it seems. 

Mol. What will Helen say ? Let's go in and tell her. 

Jan. No, call her in here. There's a whole crowd in the 
history room. (Mol. goes to door, hisses and beckons. Enter 
Hel.) Oh, Helen, Mr. Hackett was just in here; — he's on the 
Student Council, you know, and he told us all about how they 
happened to — to do what they did — about Bert. 

Hel. You don't mean to tell me that they proved that he 
cheated ? 

Mol. Oh, no; he said it was 

Jan. Circumstantial evidence. 

Mol. Yes, that's it. And he — oh, but he said not to 
mention it. 

Jan. Oh, well, he won't mind if we tell just Helen. 

Mol. No, of course not. 

Hel. (with impatience). Then for pity's sake do tell me 
about it. 

(Sits in chair vacated by Areth., before seeing book, then 
takes book and puts it on table.) 

Jan. We are ; he 

Mol. (seeing book). Why ! Why, there's the book ! 

Hel. What book ? 

Mol. The one Mr. Hackett was looking for. 

Jan. So it is, — and Arethusa Judkins was sitting on it all 
the time ! 

Mol. The mean thing ! Isn't she the limit? 

Hel. Well, I think you're the limit. You haven't told me 
a word he said. 

Mol. He said that he hadn't been doing his daily work, 
and 

Jan. And that if he got by applied he would be off pro. 

Mol. And that he went into his room for some cigarettes 
during the exam, so that 

Hel. Yes, I know all about that part. What else ? 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 37 

Jan. And that he went to Boston the night before the exam 
with Mr. Carson instead of studying. 

Hel. Went to Boston ! Then Arethusa did see him. Oh, 
how could he have been so thoughtless ! 

Mol. Yes, and Arthur Carson told me how "ha-ahd" it 
was, and that he flunked it " co-old." No wonder he flunked 
it ! I shall never speak to him again ! 

Enter Areth., who hesitates on seeing book on table , then 
comes forward. 

Areth. I don't suppose you are using this book? 

Jan. {significantly). No, but we thought we'd keep it for 
Mr. Hackett. 

Areth. {taking book ; petulantly). Well, I don't care. I 
need it very much, and this is the only time I shall have to use 
it. {Starts to go, then turns.) Particularly since people 
choose to converse aloud here nearly all the time. [Exit. 

Mol. My, wasn't she crazy that we found out ! 

Jan. I don't care; it serves her right. {Pause.) 

Hel. Oh, but I can't get over Bert's being so heedless. I 
don't know what father will say; I don't know. I must see 
Dick. Even if Bert didn't cheat, — to go in town 

Mol. Oh, but Helen, you don't think that he really 
cheated, do you ? 

(Jan. shakes head.) 

Hel. Of course not. But if he would only come and tell 
me that he hadn't, no one could ever make me think he did. 

Jan. He will come, when he knows you want him to, I'm 
sure. He just thinks that you know about his going in town, 
and is ashamed of that. 

Mol. Of course. I think — perhaps — Mr. Carson might 
tell him you wanted to see him. 

Hel. Yes, if you happen to see Mr. Carson, tell him, 
won't you ? 

Mol. {looking at watch). I think — I may — happen — to see 
him in about five minutes. {Then in some confusion.) Come 
on, Jan, let's take those books back. {They start for the door. 
Jan. goes out, hit Mol. turns at door and comes back. Bend- 
ing over Hel. affectionately. ) Helen, you know I'm awfully, 
awfully sorry, don't you, dear ? 

Hel. Yes, sweetheart, I know. 



38 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Mol. And I just know it will come out all right in the end. 
{Confidently.*) I'll make Arthur Carson do some Sherlock 
Holmes work, for one, if he has to turn the college upside 
down. 

Hel. My, but you're such a big bully, Molly ! 

{Both laugh. Mol. starts to run out, almost colliding with 
Dick at door.) 

Mol. Oh, excuse me, Mr. Walthour. 

Dick {laughing). I beg your pardon, Miss Atkins. {Exit 
Mol. ; enter Dick.) Good-morning, Helen. 

Hel. Hello, Dick. I've been wanting to talk to you. 
Why didn't you come to tell me about Bert's going in town? - 

Dick. Who told you ? 

Hel. I heard about it. You might have told me. 

Dick. I couldn't, Helen, I just couldn't. I thought I'd 
told you enough without making it any worse. 

Hel. Oh, but it makes the evidence so much blacker. 
What made him do it? Couldn't you have kept him from it? 

Dick. No, I did all I could except holding him. I talked 
to him as long as he'd listen, but it didn't do any good. 

Hel. But think what father will say when he hears of that 
part ! You know what happened the last time this kind of 
thing occurred. 

Dick. I know. If it hadn't been for you, he'd never have 
sent Bert back to college, and I reminded Bert of it the next 
morning ; that's when he said he'd study. But must he know 
it? 

Hel. Of course. If Bert is expelled and goes home, father 
will want to know every single thing about it, and he's pretty 
likely to find out. 

Dick. I know he is. I've tried every way I knew to pre- 
vent their convicting him, but they did it. 

Hel. {poking holes with her pencil). I should think an 
easier way would have been not to have reported him ? 

Dick. Why, Helen, you can't mean that when I found the 
book I ought to have kept it to myself? 

Hel. Well, yes; — no; — I — how do I know what I do 
mean ? But I know it's mighty mean for Bert to have to leave 
for something he didn't do, — and I know you're responsible 
for it, too. 

Dick. I know, I know. That's why it was so hard to tell, 
but what could I do ? 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 39 

Hel. I don't know. It seems as if it would have been so 
easy just not to have said anything about it — especially when 
you knew Bert would never cheat in the world. 

Dick. Easy ! Easy ! Of course it would have been easy ! 
It was one of the hardest things I ever did, and I wasn't sure 
that Bert hadn't cheated. Everything pointed against him. 
Can't you see ? Under the honor system it was my duty, my 
moral obligation, to report what I believed to be a clear case 
of cheating. I simply had to. 

Hel. Oh, dear ! I suppose so. But Bert ! Your own 
roommate, — your friend, — expelled from college ! How could 
you do it ? {Covers her face.) 

Dick {getting up). Helen, you're like all the rest. Girls 
don't want uprightness or decency in a man. I'd always 
thought they did, but they don't. They want the friendship 

of men who laugh at honor, and who never draw a line at 

I know. — A fellow in college has a good many temptations that 
are hard to resist, and many's the time I've kept from — from 
things, — because I thought you'd want me to. And now when 
I've done this, the hardest thing I ever did in my life, because 
I thought that you would agree with me that it was the hon- 
orable thing to do, you — you — almost show me that it wasn't 
honor you cared for at all. What a fool I've been ! 

{Stands looking at her a moment, then goes quietly out. She 
has put her fingers in her ears, and her head down, so 
does not see him go. Presently she stretches out her hand 
toward where he stood.) 

Hel. Dick ! 

{She looks up to see that he has gone. Goes to door^ and 
meets Bert, who has just looked in.) 

Enter Bert. 

Bert. Hello! What's the matter? 

Hel. Did you see Dick? 

Bert. Yes, met him going down-stairs, thinking so fast 
that he never even saw me. 

Hel. He does usually, doesn't he ? 

Bert. Does what? 

Hel. Sees you, and speaks to you, — since the exam, I 
mean. 

Bert. Sure he does. 



40 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Hel. And you to him, — after he reported you? 

Bert. Sure I do. He only did his duty, and he's tried to 
keep 'em from convicting me since. 

Hel. {slowly). That's right, Bert, he only did his duty. 

Bert. Seen Carson anywhere? 

Hel. Carson ? No. I should think you'd have seen 
enough of Arthur Carson the night before the exams. Oh, 
Bert, whatever possessed you to go into Boston then ? 

Bert. I don't know. I was crazy; sore at Dick for being 
so sharp, and for myself for letting it bother me. 

Hel. But it will make father so cross ! 

Bert. I know it. I won't tell him that unless I have to. 

Hel. I'm afraid you will, because that was one thing that 
made the case so strong against you. But after all, you didn't 
look at the book during the examination, did you, Bert ? 

Bert. No, I did not. I tell you once for all — no ! What- 
ever else I may have done, I didn't cheat in that examination. 

Hel. Oh, I'm so glad to hear you say so ! And Janette 
will be, too. 

Bert. Say, did she think I cheated ? 

Hel. No, Bert, she didn't, but she'll be glad to hear you 
say you didn't. I'm going to tell her. (She starts for door.) 

Bert. Say ! Tell her — tell her I'd like to see her before I 
go, will you ? 

Hel. All right. But you're not going yet? 

Bert. Not just yet. I want to see Carson first, and 

Hel. Oh, yes, of course. What do you want to see him 
for? 

Bert. Well, I was pretty rotten to him after that night, and 
I sort of want to square things with him a little, that's all. 

Hel. Oh ! Well, I'll tell Janette. [Exit. 

(Bert sits at table. Car. comes into doorway, looking at 
his watch, sees Bert, and turns to go. Bert turns and 
. catches sight of him.) 

Bert. Oh, Carson ! Wait a second ; I want to speak to 
you. 

Enter Car., hardly glancing at Bert. 

Car. (gruffly). Well, fire away. 

Bert. You see, I'm going away now — going home, and be- 
fore I go, I want to apologize for saying what I did in the 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 41 

room. You always treated me white, and my marks were my 
own fault. I was pretty rotten to say what I did. Will you 
shake before I go ? {Extends his hand.) 

Car. {shrinking a little). Not — not yet. 

Bert. Well, I'm sorry, Art ; I wish you would. (Car. 
shakes his head without looking up.) Perhaps I'll see you 
again later. I'll be down-stairs. [Exit. 

(Car. watches Bert go out, then sits dejectedly at end of 
table. Areth. enters, coat on, book in hand. Business. 
In a moment enter Mol. who sits on seeing Areth. 
Business. Both watch Areth., who finally puts book 
aivay and exit haughtily.) 

Mol. {glancing at watch). You're late. 

Car. Why, Molly, I've been here five minutes. 

Mol. Five minutes ! And I've been here 'most fifteen ! 

Car. I'm sorry I made you wait. I was looking over a 
Stanford catalogue, and didn't notice it was so late. 

Mol. Stanford ! Arthur Carson, you're not thinking of 
going to Stanford ! 

Car. I'm not so sure. I don't think much of this here 
place. There's no spirit here, anyway. 

Mol. No spirit here ! Why should there be any, with 
men here talking that way ? What makes you say such things ? 

Car. Well, I don't know. Every one seems sore on the 
place. I'd like to see 

Mol. {striking table). Oh, how I hate that spirit ! You'd 
like to see what ? Do you know what I'd like to see ? I'd like 
to see a 191 5 movement right here. 

Car. {anxious to please). Say, that's a scheme. Why, 
Molly, if I weren't going to Stanford I believe I'd get the fel- 
lows to start one. 

Mol. Start one, anyway ! Besides {relenting a little, and 
leaning toward Car.), you won't go to Stanford. You'll stay 
here and finish out here. One year at a place never did any 
one any good. 

Car. {with a one-sided smile). I guess I don't fit very well 
here. 

Mol. Fit! Of course you don'— do; that is, you would 

if {Suddenly.) Now look, Arthur; you start this 1915 

movement. Start it now. And begin — {dropping her pencil, 
which Car. picks up) and begin on yourself. 



42 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Car. On myself ! 

Mol. {boldly). Yes, sir, on yourself. {Pause. Car. sits.) 
Do it by suggestion. Keep telling yourself over and over, 
"This is the best engineering school — is the best college in 
the country " ; keep saying it — live it, and you'll "fit." 

Car. {looking straight in front). Perhaps you're right. 

Mol. Perhaps ! I know I'm right. It all rests with your- 
self, Arthur. 

Car. {nodding slowly). That's so. I'll give it a try, any- 
how. 

(Hel. passes the door and waves hand at Mol.) 

Mol. There's Helen. Why, poor thing, she's just miser- 
able about her brother Bert. Oh, I wish some of you men 
would do something so that he wouldn't be expelled. 

Car. I — I never thought they'd expel him. 

Mol. Who did ? But everything was so black against him, 
and {reproachfully) what did you ever go in town for when 
you had a hard exam ? 

Car. {starting). You know that, too ? 

Mol. Yes, I heard about it. No wonder you flunked the 
exam, and {near tears) you — you — it made it look so much 
worse for Bert. How could you be so foolish ? 

Car. {slowly). I don't know. I've been sorry ever since. 

Mol. And it's so awful and unjust, because, of course, he 
didn't cheat. (Car. starts.) Why, what's the matter? 

Car. Nothing. I — I — I was just thinking of that myself. 

Mol. Were you ? Oh, then there must be some way to 
prove he didn't do it. Can't you do something? Isn't there 
some way ? 

Car. {rising, agitated). There may be — just one. 

Mol. {jumping up). Oh, then, why don't you try it? 
What are you waiting for? What is it? 

Car. Listen, Molly. Would you forgive me everything if 
I could prove Bert didn't crib ? 

Mol. {excitedly). Of course I would, everything — any 

Car. No; but listen, Molly. I mean, would you forgive 
every single thing ? 

Mol. {same). Yes, yes, yes. If you can do it, why don't 
you, instead of standing there like a great big ninny? Can 
you? 

Car. {squaring his shoulders). I think so. I'm going 
down- stairs. Wait here. [Exit. 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 43 

Mol. (going to door and calling sotto voce). Helen ! Jan- 
ette ! (Beckons wildly. Enter Hel. and Jan.) Oh, girls, 
he says he can prove that he didn't do it at all ! Isn't it 
great ? 

Hel. Who ? What ? 

Jan. Didn't do what ? What are you talking about? 

Mol. Arthur Carson — Bert ! Silly ! He's coming back 
to prove that Bert didn't cheat, the Faculty's twisted, and the 
verdict's on the blink. 

Hel. Molly Atkins ! What do you mean? 

Mol. I mean what I say. You wait and see. I can do 
something, if I am a freshman, see if I can't ! 

Jan. Yes, but Molly 

Enter Car., followed by Bert, Dick, Grant and Hack., who 
look at him curiously. 

Mol. There, here he is ! Now wait and see. 

Car. (gripping back of chair). I called you all in here to 
say that Bert never cribbed in the exam. 

All. What ? What's that ? What do you mean ? 

Car. No. After I'd finished the exam, I wanted to see 
how I came out. Bob Daniels had my book, so I went in to 
look at Bert's. When I came out, I forgot to put it back, and 
left it open on his desk. That's all there was to it. 

(Business. Excitement among the girls.) 

Dick. But why didn't you tell us? 

Car. I was going to, but Bert came in just then, and called 
me — well, never mind what he called me. So that after what 
he done said before, I'd be hanged if I'd tell. (Business. The 
girls exclaim.) But I never thought they'd expel him. 

Grant. Well, Carson, that sounds all probable enough, but 
I don't believe it will satisfy the Council, unless you can prove 
it. Hope you can. 

Car. I had thought of that. Mrs. Maclnchbald was in the 
bedroom when I came in. She heard me reading off the 
formula and called me Mr. Flemming. I let her think it was 
Bert, and told her I was saying my prayers. Then (glancing 
at Mol.) I swore, and she said I was saying my catechism. 
You ask her about it. 

Dick. Jove, that's right ! She did say Bert had been say- 
ing his catechism. 



44 HIS WORD OF HONOR 

Grant. Then she didn't see you in the room ? 

Car. No, she just called out from the bedroom. 

Grant. Well, then, I guess it's all right. I'll go look her 
up. (To Bert.) I guess it isn't too soon to congratulate you, 
old man. (Shakes with Bert.) Come on, Jerry. 

Hack, (to Bert). By George, I'm mighty glad, old man. 
{Turns to go, and then comes back.) Say, Bert, you haven't 
got a cigarette, have you ? 

(Bert hands him a box.) 
Bert. Keep it. 

(Hack, turns box upside down to show it is empty.) 

Hack. Stung ! (Throws box angrily in waste basket.) 

Hel. Oh, I'm so glad ! [Exeunt Hack, and Grant. 

Bert. What are you so glad about ? I didn't know it was 
empty. 

Hel. I didn't mean that. I was talking about you. 

Jan. So am I, Bert. (Offers her hand, which Bert takes.) 
But I knew all the time you didn't do it. 

Bert. Thanks. 

Car. Now, Bert, you-all know why I didn't shake hands 
before. I suppose you don't want to now ? 

Bert. But I do, though. (They shake.) I think I de- 
served all I got, and even if it wasn't just right to let me be 
fired, you did have pretty good cause for not saying anything. 

Car. Thanks, Bert. (They talk apart.) 

Dick. Helen. — Do you still think I ought to have kept 
quiet, Helen? 

Hel. No, Dick, you know I don't. I was sorry the min- 
ute you went ; but I was so stirred up, I just couldn't think ! 

Car. (softly to Mol.). You haven't forgotten what you 
promised, Molly? 

Mol. No ; but it wasn't fair to steal a promise that way. 

Car. Then you wouldn't have forgiven me if you hadn't 
promised to? 

Mol. (looking at her watch). What time do you ever ex- 
pect to get to the Fells? (Sotto voce to him.) I'll tell you 
over there. 

Enter Kid. 

Kid. Hey, Bert, your father's over to the room. (The 



HIS WORD OF HONOR 45 

others rise. Hel. starts toward Bert.) Wants you to come 
right over. — Beat it ! 

{Pushes Bert out the door.) 

Bert (turning outside door). Cheese it, here's Tard ! 

{Exit. Hel. seizes book right, Kid left ; Dick sits right 
end table, and Jan. left end ; Mol. and Car. sit up at side 
table. All appear to study. Prof. N. tiptoes his head 
through the door t smiles, and exit, with a ' * Bless-you-my- 
ehildren ' ' nod. All appear to study as) 



CURTAIN 



New Plays 



THE COLONEL'S MAID 

A Comedy in Three Acts 

By C. Leon a Dairymple 

Author of "The Time of His Life" "The Land of Night" etc. 

Six males, three females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. 
Plays a full evening. An exceptionally bright and amusing comedy, full 
of action ; all the parts good. Capital Chinese low comedy part ; two 
first-class old men. This is a very exceptional piece and can be strongly 
recommended. Price, 25 cents 

CHARACTERS 

Colonel Robert Rudd, a widower of *\ 

North Carolina I , ,, , ... 

Colonel Richard Byrd, a widower] mortally antagonistic. 

of South Carolina J 

Bob Rudd \ not so antagonistic as their respective fathers. 

Mrs. J. John Carroll, a widow, and Colonel Rudd" 's sister- 
in-law. 
Julia Carroll, her daughter. 

Ned Graydon, a young gentleman of exceedingly faulty memory. 
Mr, James Baskom, Colonel Rudd' s lawyer. 
Ching-ah-ling, the Chinese cook, a bit impertinent but by far the 
most important individual in the cast. 
SYNOPSIS 
Act I. — Early morning in the kitchen of the Rudd bachelor 
establishment. 

Act II. — The Rudd library, five days later. 
Act III. — The same. Evening of the same day. 

BREAKING THE ENGAGEMENT 

A Farce in One Act 

By W. C. Parker 

Two males, one female. Costumes, modern ; scene, an interior. Plays 

twenty minutes. A quick playing little piece suitable for vaudeville use, 

Very bright and snappy and strongly recommended. 

Price, 15 cents 

A PAPER MATCH 

A Farce in One Act 
By E. W. Burt, M. D. 

Two males, two females. Costumes, modern ; scene, an interior. Plays 
thirty-five minutes. Four rustic characters, all good. The heroine ad- 
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Very funny, easy and effective. Price, ij cents 



m 7 mi 

New Entertainments 



OUR CHURCH FAIR 
A Farcical Entertainment in Two Acts 

By Jessie A. Kelley 
Twelve females. Costumes modern; scenery unimportant. Plays av 
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Can be recommended. 

Price, 25 cents 

CHARACTERS 

Mrs. Roberts, who wants to be Mrs. Lawson, plump. 

president. Mrs. Brown, anxious to get new 

Mrs. Henry, young, giddy, church attendants. 

fond of novels. Mrs. Addison, very inquisitive*. 

Mrs. Jackson, the president of Mrs. Ridgely, sensitive. 

the society. Mrs. Otis, on the dinner com* 

Mrs. Brett, on the dinner com- mittee. 

mittee. Mrs. Thompson, decidedly close* 

Mrs. Lewis, the ministers wife. Mrs. Drew, just married^ 

THE RIVAL CHOIRS 

An Entertainment in One Scene 

By Sherman F. Johnson 
Seven males, four females. Costumes eccentric ; scenery unimportant. 
Plays one hour. A novelty in musical entertainments, introducing the 
old choir and the new in competition. A novel setting for a concert, 
offering an interesting contrast between the old music and the new. Lots 
of incidental fun, character and human nature. Sure to please. Origi- 
nally produced in Meriden, Conn. 

Price, 25 cents 

A THIEF IN THE HOUSE 

A Comedy in One Act 
By R. M. Robinson 
Six males, one playing a female character (colored). Costumes modern 
scenery, an interior. Plays forty-five minutes. A first-class play for mah 
characters only, of strong dramatic interest with plenty of comedy. A play 
that can be recommended, in spite of its lack of female characters, to any 
radience. 

Price, 25 cents 



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